Canadiens call up Eric Tangradi from Hamilton Bulldogs

The Canadiens announced on Nov. 25 that they had called up Eric Tangradi from the American Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs.

Tangradi, a 6-foot-4, 221-pound forward, will be reunited with his former junior teammate P.K. Subban in Montreal. Tangradi was captain of the Belleville Bulls when Subban was playing there.

In 11 games with the Bulldogs, Tangradi had two goals, four assists and 18 penalty minutes. The Canadiens acquired him from the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 5 in exchange for goaltender Peter Budaj and forward Patrick Holland.

Below is a column I wrote on Tangradi after he first joined the Bulldogs:

Tangradi hopes for reunion with Subban

PUBLISHED ON OCT. 16, 2014

STU COWAN MONTREAL GAZETTE

Eric Tangradi still has one up on his former junior teammate P.K. Subban.

At the 2007 National Hockey League entry draft, the Anaheim Ducks selected Tangradi in the second round with the 42nd overall pick. With the very next pick, the Canadiens selected Subban from the Belleville Bulls, where Tangradi was the captain.

“We had some jokes (about that) early on in our career, but it’s definitely something I would never bring up now because I’m sure he has plenty of one-uppers at this point in his career,” said Tangradi, who could become Subban’s teammate again in the future.

The Canadiens acquired Tangradi from the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 5 in exchange for goaltender Peter Budaj and forward Patrick Holland. The Canadiens assigned Tangradi, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound forward, to the American Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs.

“Ten minutes after (the trade) was announced, I had three missed calls and a voice mail from P.K.,” Tangradi said over the phone from Hamilton. “It was nice to catch up with him. Every time we talk I feel like we’re telling old stories about back in junior and how funny it would be to play together or play beside each other (in the NHL). I’m definitely going to work my tail off down here and I’d love to be up there and see the old buddy again and spend some time with him.”

Tangradi, who is from Philadelphia, added that Subban hasn’t really changed since his days in junior.

“I think that’s the neatest part about his character,” said Tangradi, who is the same age as Subban, 25. “He doesn’t let his surroundings or his success change the person that he is and I think a lot of people appreciate that about him. But you know, he’s always going to be goofy and always have fun every single day. And I think that’s something that hasn’t changed even since we were younger, whether he has this new (eight-year, $72 million contract) or when we were driving around on empty in the car back in Belleville.”

There are no empty fuel tanks for the longtime buddies now, but Subban can afford a much nicer car. Tangradi is in the final season of a two-year, one-way contract that pays him $700,000 this season and his road to the NHL has been a bumpy one.

Tangradi never played a game with the Ducks, traded to Pittsburgh in February 2009. In 136 career NHL games with Pittsburgh and Winnipeg, he has 5-10-15 totals and 69 penalty minutes. Last season, he posted 3-3-6 totals and 21 penalty minutes in 55 games with the Jets.

Consistency at the NHL level has been Tangradi’s problem.

“I’ve had some stretches where I’ve played some really good hockey in the NHL, and definitely it’s a little bit tough being a guy who’s in and out of the lineup,” said Tangradi, who picked up an assist in his debut with the Bulldogs, a season-opening 6-4 win last weekend in Rochester. “I think being down here and playing in a bigger role and bigger minutes, I think that will allow me to get back to a guy who can be counted on every single night.”

George Burnett, the longtime coach in Belleville, knows what it’s like to count on Tangradi. That’s why he was the Bulls captain.

“A big, strong, smart guy who played both centre and the wing,” Burnett said over the phone from Belleville. “Quite frankly, I’m a little surprised that his NHL game hasn’t maybe been a little stronger, a little more consistent. But I know how anxious he was for a new opportunity and I know he’s someone who will work hard. He’s a big-body guy who cycles the puck well, protects it well, needs to play hard in traffic and can do it.

“He’s someone that was a real influence here. I think there are a number of attributes there that should allow him to play at the pro level and play in the National Hockey League and it won’t surprise me to see him get back there.”

Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin has done a remarkable job rebuilding the Canadiens since taking the job just over two years ago. Three of his key ingredients to success have been size, character and depth. Tangradi brings that hat trick to the organization.

And he’s also not afraid to drop the gloves when necessary.

“It’s a part of my game that I don’t want to be the main priority, but my style of play of being physical and trying to be in on the forecheck and throw the body around, it comes with the territory and it’s something that I’ve had to do in the past and I don’t have a problem doing,” Tangradi said about fighting.

Bergevin was a character player for 20 years as a defenceman in the NHL and has shown the ability to find players like himself as a GM. Guys like Mike Weaver and Dale Weise. And he’s been able to acquire them without giving up much.

Tangradi hopes to become another one of those guys.

“He’s one of the most wellrespected GMs in the NHL and it was definitely a very exciting moment to be a part of not only the Montreal Canadiens, but also his plan and what he sees for the team in the future,” said Tangradi, who spoke with Bergevin briefly after the trade was made.

“I think he knows what kind of player I am and he just told me to go down to Hamilton and get that confidence back and get your game back and we hope to see you in Montreal. I’m just down here trying to get back to the player that made me successful early on in my career and try to get that game back in the NHL when the time comes.”

Tangradi has been to Montreal before on NHL road trips, but doesn’t know a lot about the city.

“I haven’t been there long enough to really explore much of the city, but we’d stay at (Le) Crystal Hotel and there’s a little restaurant, the Roselie,” he said. “Every time we’d see Montreal on the schedule, we can’t wait to get back there and eat.

“I heard the food (in the city) is amazing … I’m kind of a foodie, so if I ever make it out there I’ll have to do some exploring.”

This Week's Flyers

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.